Highlights

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - St. Rita had a hard life. As a child she asked her parents to enter a convent, but they arranged a marriage to her instead. Her husband was abusive and confrontational and after many long years of marriage he was murdered in a fight with another man. By the grace of God and Rita's prayers her husband repented before he died.

Her two sons also died young, leaving Rita alone. Despite the tragedy, Rita was now able to enter the convent. While there she was admired for her prayer life and according to legend she asked to share in the suffering of Christ and she was given a partial stigmata on her forehead which would often bleed. St. Rita, patroness of impossible causes, aid us who call to you!

After her death, many miracles were attributed to Rita and she was canonized in 1900.

The difficult nature of her life before the convent led to her understanding of what women endure at the hands of those who abuse them. The salvation of her husband by virtue of her intercession also makes her a symbol of hope for women who pray to improve their marriages.

(St. Rita is also the parton saint of baseball players because she aids in causes that appear impossible.)

Millions of women work on their relationships by following the example of St. Rita and by praying for her intercession in their lives.

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for OCTOBER 2017
Workers and the Unemployed. That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.